ASVRR’s purpose is to preserve history by entertaining visitors. To this extent the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad was formed in 1993. The excursion train has been operating for 19 years providing train rides not only for the general public but also for special groups, school field trips, dinner trains, birthday parties, weddings and reunions. ASVRR has restored the former ATSF Steam Locomotive #3415 and the 1887 Rock Island Depot and both are on the National Register of Historic Places.

ASVRR asks that you consider putting some of your success in life to work by making a donation to help create the desired future for the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad and the Abilene/Dickinson County area. Your donation will be put to good use for those purposes only and is tax deductible.

Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad is a member of the 5-Star Museum District in Abilene which includes the Greyhound Hall of Fame; the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home; Old Abilene Town; and The Dickinson County Heritage Center. Each entity helps bring people to Abilene to visit these tourist attractions. Those people are also spending dollars for meals, fuel, shopping and overnight stays which also means sales tax dollars for the City and County. To date there have been over 215,000 riders on our train with a total impact for the County and City of about $1,326,000 per year from the ASVRR excursion train alone.

By donating to this fund you will help the continuation of operation of the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad for many years into the future for those to enjoy who take advantage of “Riding the Rails of History”. Each of the Board of Directors and the railroad manager have already committed to this fund.

Those who donate will become a member of the A&SV Railroad Association for one year and will receive our quarterly newsletter. Donating in installments is acceptable. Those who donate $5,000 will also receive a charter train ride with the diesel locomotive for their family and/or friends and those who donate $10,000 will receive a charter train ride with the 3415 Steam locomotive to be scheduled during the 2014 season.

Any financial assistance that you can provide will be deeply appreciated and will benefit our entire community. Mail your donation to ASVRR, P.O. Box 744, Abilene, KS 67410.